Character Needs Computer Job

This might be better in Tech Talk. I'll move it there.

What do you mean by computer field? Putting them together? Programming, games or applications? IT? CIS? Web programming? What kind? Or are you just looking for low level, game testing, call center? Then minimum wage, to $12/hour at best, crappy working conditions.

Without a degree, most places still want certification in various things.

Hedgetrimmer said:

Thanks, Tirjasdyn. I was thinking anything entry-level, but upon further research, as you noted, it seems even those jobs require some sort of certification.

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If he's remotely serious, most of those certifications aren't a huge barrier at all.

Computers are one of those fields you can get into without going to college. Most self respecting tech nerds will teach themselves everything they need to know as they need it.
These were all college drop-outs:
Larry Ellison - Oracle
Michael Dell - Dell Computers
Mark Zuckerberg - Facebook
Bill Gates - Microsoft
Steve Jobs - Apple

Here are a few directions you can go with the character.
Working in a pc store, putting boxes together and having to deal with all the stupid non tech people and stupid questions. These are usually students.
Game design with a small studio of friends working out someone's garage. Same thing if they were developing some exciting new program/website. They may have found an investor, taken a night job at burger king, or they're living off their parents good will.
Open source development. Open source developers usually volunteer their time to write code for a computer project. When paid jobs open up, people are selected from the community who have proven themselves. I have seen many young people without qualifications taken in.

Edit* just saw your last post now which may render the above obsolete- absolutely they can run a website with self acquired knowledge. I know many people who are incredible web designers running their own successful companies, who have taught themselves everything they need to know. There is so much info available online and through Amazon for example and so many great tools to help you.

Hedgetrimmer said:

I'm just wondering if it's even feasible for him to run a professional-looking site with only self-acquired knowledge.

Thanks for the feedback.

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It's totally feasible. I've been running my own websites since I was 13, back when the only way to make a site was to code it in Notepad, and nowadays there are a lot of systems (Wordpress, for example) that make it extremely easy to set up an awesome looking site with just a bit of self-taught knowledge.

Regarding entry-level IT jobs, up in my part of the world a lot of people start out in telephone IT support/call centre work, answering basic queries off a script. From there they can step up into more technical roles.

Hedgetrimmer said:

Well, that's something I can consider. Perhaps I can have him working some small job right after school while also obtaining some level of certification.

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Hedgetrimmer said:

Ave and EMaree: Thank you both for the great insight. I've been up working on the scene in which this falls and decided to have him working a retail job and taking a few computer courses at a community college.

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The kind of certification we're talking about isn't like taking classes at a community college. It's more like read a few training manuals, practice the commands, take an online test, and get a certificate.

I have no formal training in anything computerish. My education in this field began when a friend gave me a junker computer and left me alone with it. There was no one I could call for help (and no money to pay anyone) so I learned all I know from the Internet and from many "educational experiences" provided by a succession of cranky old computers. I've been doing websites for quite some time now, and helping people with computer problems. The computer shop across town wouldn't hire me some years ago, but now I and a friend are about to give them some serious competition.

There are many ways to skin this ctitter.

Very feasible. Web design and development degrees are extremely new. Ten years ago there wasn't much in the way of such things at all. Most people are self taught unless they went for a programming or cis degree and even then....

The job might be with a small operation:
- a PC repair shop rebuilding junk
- a 1-2 person website building service maybe doing graphics work or grunt-page coding
- a small consulting shop doing more or less office tasks - maintaining servers, doing the books, performing simple coding tasks.

He/she might also work at a bigger hardware store -- FutureShop, Staples, another chain store. Consider a fine young fella named Linus Sebastien as a model

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=linus+sebastien&FORM=HDRSC3

Part-Time Help Desk Support Specialist at a local technical college.

Not that I would know personally, or anything <_< >_>

ave said:

Computers are one of those fields you can get into without going to college. Most self respecting tech nerds will teach themselves everything they need to know as they need it.
These were all college drop-outs:
Larry Ellison - Oracle
Michael Dell - Dell Computers
Mark Zuckerberg - Facebook
Bill Gates - Microsoft
Steve Jobs Wozniak - Apple

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Most of those guys don't really count, as they were pioneers in the days before computer science was really a big thing.
Also, fixed the last one for you.

I never got my full degree but did get a few community college certifications. I work as an IT at a local office supply firm doing virus/malware removal and computer/laptop repair. Much of what I do is research issues online and try solutions that others have posted. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Sooner or later the problems become repetitive, so I get into a habit of doing the same things over and over, which makes me look smarter than I really am.

K.R.Schmidt said:

I never got my full degree but did get a few community college certifications. I work as an IT at a local office supply firm doing virus/malware removal and computer/laptop repair. Much of what I do is research issues online and try solutions that others have posted. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Sooner or later the problems become repetitive, so I get into a habit of doing the same things over and over, which makes me look smarter than I really am.

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Repair monkey at some local clone shop, or at Best Buy (which by repute is somewhat less selective than the average clone shop). Being self-taught in basic hardware repairs and software diagnostics will suffice to get you in the door, and the rest is learn-on-the-job. Pays about $10/hour tops.